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mz www if@ /m UNITED STATES PAQTN FFTCE.

ROBERT C. BUCHANAN, OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY.

KNA'PSACK.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 25,625, dated October 4, 1859.

To all whom 'it may conem:

Be it known that I, ROBERT C. BUCHANAN, a lieutenant-colonel in the Army of the United States, have invented a new and Tmproved Knapsack; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full and clear description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification.

F gure l, is a back view of the knapsaok and shows the yoke, shoulder straps and breast straps. Fig. 2, is an end view of the knapsack and shows the arrangement of the pocket in Connection with one shoulder strap.

The knapsack-is first made in the ordinary shape and of whatever material which may be desired although cotton canvas unpainted is preferable. On the upper and inner seam of the knapsack (in the line a a a Fig. l) is fastened a yoke (b Z) Z) Fig. l) niade after the fashion of a shirt yoke, passing over the shoulders, terminating in two ends (c c c Fig. l) on the breast; and passing backward is sewed or fastened on the inner side (from to y Fig. 2) of the knapsack. You thus have an entire body to theY yoke, and by straps (d cl Fig. l) the arrangement is completed. The pockets at the ends (e e e Fig. 2) may be of any convenient shape and are made to add to the stowage, and used for boots, &c., they having a lapel (f, f, Fig. 2) to confine and proteet the contents.

The knapsaoks in ordinary use are fastened across the breast and under the arm with straps, and they fail to keep the weight upon the shoulder, and the line pressure of the confining straps retards the circulation of blood to the arms, and by benumbing them often prevent the free use of the musket. The present invention on the contrary brings the weight upon the top of the back and keeps it there as readily as it would an ordinary garment, thus entirely relieving the shoulders; eases the load by giving it a proper and permanent point of support, and allows free and entire circulation of the blood to the arms, so that the musket can at all times readily be handled, and the knapsaok be put on or oif as readily as a coat,

and in the same manner.

'What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- The combination of the body yoke and end pockets to the knapsaok, the whole being combined and operating substantially as is herein set forth.

ROBT. C. BUCHANAN.

Signed in presence of- GEO. Q. THOMAS, SAML.'D. FINGKEL. 

